Part 33 (2/2)
”Ey judge fro circ.u.mstances,” replied the little girl. ”Mother has often said she conna weel spare Alizon. An mayhap Mistress Nutter may knoa, that she con be very obstinate when she tays a whim into her head.”
”I do know it,” replied Mistress Nutter; ”and, from my experience of her temper in former days, I should be loath to have you near me, who seem to inherit her obstinacy.”
”Wi' sich misgivings ey wonder ye wish to tak Alizon, madam,” said Jennet; ”fo she's os much o' her mother about her os me, onny she dunna choose to show it.”
”Peace, thou mischievous urchin,” cried Mistress Nutter, losing all patience.
”Shall I take her away?” said Harrop-seizing her hand.
”Ay, do,” said Mistress Nutter.
”No, no, let her stay!” cried Alizon, quickly; ”I shall be miserable if she goes.”
”Oh, ey'm quite ready to go,” said Jennet, ”fo ey care little fo sich seets os this-boh efore ey leave ey wad fain say a few words to Mester Potts, whom ey see yonder.”
”What can you want with him, Jennet,” cried Alizon, in surprise.
”Onny to tell him what brother Jem is gone to Pendle fo to-neet,” replied the little girl, with a significant and malicious look at Mistress Nutter.
”Ha!” muttered the lady. ”There is more malice in this little wasp than I thought. But I must rob it of its sting.”
And while thus communing with herself, she fixed a searching look on Jennet, and then raising her hand quickly, waved it in her face.
”Oh!” cried the little girl, falling suddenly backwards.
”What's the matter?” demanded Alizon, flying to her.
”Ey dunna reetly knoa,” replied Jennet.
”She's seized with a sudden faintness,” said Harrop. ”Better she should go home then at once. I'll find somebody to take her.”
”Neaw, neaw, ey'n sit down here,” said Jennet; ”ey shan be better soon.”
”Come along, Alizon,” said Mistress Nutter, apparently unconcerned at the circ.u.mstance.
Having confided the little girl, who was now recovered from the shock, to the care of Nancy Holt, Alizon followed her mother.
At this moment Sir Ralph, who had quitted the supper-table, clapped his hands loudly, thus giving the signal to the minstrels, who, having repaired to the gallery, now struck up a merry tune, and instantly the whole hall was in motion. s.n.a.t.c.hing up his wand Sampson Harrop hurried after Alizon, beseeching her to return with him, and join a procession about to be formed by the revellers, and of course, as May Queen, and the most important personage in it, she could not refuse. Very short s.p.a.ce sufficed the morris-dancers to find their partners; Robin Hood and the foresters got into their places; the hobby-horse curveted and capered; Friar Tuck resumed his drolleries; and even Jack Roby was so far recovered as to be able to get on his legs, though he could not walk very steadily. Marshalled by the gentleman-usher, and headed by Robin Hood and the May Queen, the procession marched round the hall, the minstrels playing merrily the while, and then drew up before the upper table, where a brief oration was p.r.o.nounced by Sir Ralph. A shout that made the rafters ring again followed the address, after which a couranto was called for by the host, who, taking Mistress Nicholas a.s.sheton by the hand, led her into the body of the hall, whither he was speedily followed by the other guests, who had found partners in like manner.
Before relating how the ball was opened a word must be bestowed upon Mistress Nicholas a.s.sheton, whom I have neglected nearly as much as she was neglected by her unworthy spouse, and I therefore hasten to repair the injustice by declaring that she was a very amiable and very charming woman, and danced delightfully. And recollect, ladies, these were dancing days-I mean days when knowledge of figures as well as skill was required, more than twenty forgotten dances being in vogue, the very names of which may surprise you as I recapitulate them. There was the Pa.s.samezzo, a great favourite with Queen Elizabeth, who used to foot it merrily, when, as you are told by Gray-
”The great Lord-keeper led the brawls, And seals and maces danced before him!”
the grave Pavane, likewise a favourite with the Virgin Queen, and which I should like to see supersede the eternal polka at Almack's and elsewhere, and in which-
”Five was the number of the music's feet Which still the dance did with live paces meet;”
the Couranto, with its ”current traverses,” ”sliding pa.s.sages,” and solemn tune, wherein, according to Sir John Davies-
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